The S&P 500 is up north of 27 percent year-to-date – the second consecutive year of gains of north of 20 percent. Buybacks and margin debt are cooperating, but several other measures are pointing to extended conditions. With 10 sessions … Continued
Equities celebrated last week’s Republican sweep with huge gains. More gains are possible ahead, although not all the wheels are in sync. Leading into last Tuesday’s presidential and congressional elections, the S&P 500 was kind of stuck in a rut. … Continued
With mixed macro messages, small-caps, which tend to have high domestic economic exposure, struggle to gain traction. The Russell 2000 remains under its November 2021 high. The sell-side is very optimistic about next year’s earnings, but it is prudent to … Continued
The Russell 2000’s 250-point surge over six sessions took many by surprise, not the least of which are those who were on the shorting side. This also comes at a time of probable economic deceleration ahead and a question mark … Continued
The S&P 500 is on course for a third straight up quarter, with a touch of ‘parabolic’ to it. Buybacks and margin debt have provided a tailwind, although the latter in particular points to a lack of aggressive willingness to … Continued
Unable to push through resistance, major US equity indices took a drubbing in recent weeks. Mid- to long-term, more downward pressure is probable. Near-term, it is looking like a toss-up between bulls and bears. The S&P 500 last week suffered … Continued
Equity bears came up short last week, unable to take benefit of an opportunity to put the bulls on the defensive. Momentum remains with the bulls. With the S&P 500 having already rallied 28 percent from last October’s low, several … Continued
January saw margin debt only inch up, even as the S&P 500 rallied 1.6 percent. This divergence, should it continue in the months ahead, could end up helping equity bears more than the bulls. The S&P 500 opened 2024 with … Continued
The S&P 500 last week joined its peers to break out to new highs. More gains are likely in the near term. Mid-to long-term prospects are dependent on if the recent improvement seen in margin debt and equity flows persists. … Continued
In November, margin debt was up four percent m/m, even as the S&P 500 jumped 8.9 percent. The latter is up another 4.7 percent December-to-date. How margin debt behaves this month will be telling. Equity bulls will need investor willingness … Continued